Social Media in Teacher Professional Development in

Saudi Arabia: a case study

Presented by Pir Suhail A. Sarhandi

Professional Development ?

Professional development is defined as activities that develop an individual’s skills, knowledge, expertise and other characteristics as a teacher.

Formal

Informal

Social Media ?

SOCIAL + MEDIA

Media is an instrument on communication, like a newspaper or a radio, so social media would be a social instrument of communication.

Why Professional Development?

rapid changes in ELT institutions face new challenges teachers’ roles and responsibilities

About the study

This study analyses continuing professional development in the context of ELT in a university in Saudi Arabia, and focuses on the potential of social media tools used as means of making teacher professional development (TPD) both relevant and specific. It examines the characteristics of ‘effective’ TPD and, within that framework, analyses the concept of social media, its applications and effect on TPD.

Methodology

• Questionnaire on TPD through social media was distributed amongst 100 teachers using www.kwiksurveys.com .

• Five teachers were interviewed on Skype.• Content Analysis

Participants

Male and Female Preparatory Year Program Instructors Age ranging from 25 to 50+ All working at the same English Language

Institute ( men & women campuses) at a Saudi university.

Findings & Discussion

Professional Learning Needs:Institutional vs. Networked PD activities

Institutional PD activities Networked PD activities

ALWAYS 7.8% 6.25%

OFTEN 29.69% 40.62%

SOMETIMES 42.19% 31.25%

RARELY 18.75% 15.62%

Which of the following statement(s) best describe(s) the role of social media in teacher professional development?Networked/ informal professional development often addresses my professional learning needs.

18.37%It is an economical tool for professional development.

25.85%My working environment doesn’t acknowledge this kind of professional development.

11.56%Due to numerous options it is very difficult to choose one appropriate social networking site for PD.

12.24%Most communities of practice share endless irrelevant links/content/videos that contribute to the noise of the internet and lose the social aspect of social media.

6.12%

I can easily collaborate and share ideas, teaching tips, classroom experiences, lesson plans and job opportunities with other professionals globally in real-time situation.

21.77%It doesn’t help at all rather it wastes a lot of time.

4.08%

Teachers’ perception about social media in professional development

• Access

• Mobility

• Functionality

Conclusion Social media can be an add-on tool for TPD

if encouraged and acknowledged by the policy makers.

Social networking sites create informal opportunities for teachers to engage in the on-going, collaborative and free professional development activities around the globe.

Social media can provide support to the practicing professionals in a “learning anytime, anywhere” mode.

Email: ssarhandi@yahoo.comSkype: pirsuhailahmedTweet: ssarhandi

THANK YOU